we are armed logo
store
STORE
Stay informed with the latest firearm laws, safety tips, and news for responsible gun owners. Click Here
×

South Carolina Firearm Laws - Complete Guide

Comprehensive analysis of South Carolina gun laws, permit requirements, carry regulations, knife laws, and recent legislative updates for responsible gun owners.

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Gun Laws at a Glance

South Carolina is a constitutional carry state (effective March 7, 2024). Law‑abiding adults 18+ may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit where not otherwise prohibited. The state maintains an optional Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) for reciprocity and related benefits. South Carolina has strong state preemption (with a limited, event‑based open‑carry restriction tool for localities), robust self‑defense protections (no duty to retreat when lawfully present), and detailed location‑based restrictions that remain fully in force.

  • Permitless Carry (2024): Open or concealed carry for eligible adults 18+ without a permit
  • Optional CWP: Still available for travel/reciprocity and other advantages; state training is free and offered in every county
  • Preemption + Event Carve‑Out: State preemption with a local option to temporarily restrict open carry at permitted events (with posted notice)
  • No Duty to Inform: Officers may not detain a person solely to determine carry status; no duty to volunteer permit/carry status
  • Vehicle Flexibility: Firearms may be stored anywhere in a vehicle; special rules apply on school property
SOUTH CAROLINA

Areas of Restriction

002-colegio

Federal Prohibited Locations

Schools, Federal buildings

003-deportes-con-balones

State-Specific Restrictions

Offices/meetings of local government; school/college athletic events, certain park buildings; temporary open‑carry bans at permitted events

001-seguridad-de-casa

Private Property Rights

Property owners/employers may prohibit by statutory signage or direct notice

004-no-alcohol

Intoxication Prohibitions

No carry while consuming alcohol or under the influence;

Concealed Carry

Constitutional Carry

Eligibility Requirements

Effective March 7, 2024, South Carolina allows permitless carry for individuals who:

  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Are not prohibited from possessing firearms under state/federal law
  • Carry only in places where lawful and honor posted bans
  • Follow lawful law‑enforcement directions during encounters

 

Permitless Carry Limitations

  • Age Restriction: 18+ only; minors subject to longstanding handgun restrictions
  • Prohibited Locations: All state/federal off‑limits areas still apply
  • No Reciprocity: Permitless carry does not extend outside SC; CWP advised for interstate travel
  • Enhanced Penalties: Heightened penalties for carrying in prohibited places or while committing other crimes; alcohol‑premises violations can trigger additional penalties and (for CWP holders) permit revocation

Advantages of Licensed Carry

  • Interstate Recognition: Valid in many states via reciprocity/recognition (verify before travel; rules change)
  • Gun‑Free School Zone Safety: State‑issued license can help satisfy the federal GFSZA exception when otherwise lawful
  • Proof of Training/Vetting: Documented training and background check on a physical card
  • Travel Convenience: Needed for states that require a permit to carry

 

Application Requirements

  • Age: 18+ (military and standard applicants)
  • Background Check: State & federal fingerprint‑based check
  • Training Course: SLED‑approved course; no fixed minimum hours—must cover SC law, safe carry/holster retention, de‑escalation, and include live‑fire
  • Proficiency Demonstration: Live‑fire qualification on the state course of fire
  • Fee: $0 state fee (vendor fingerprint or private‑instructor costs may apply)

 

Disqualifying Factors

  • Felony convictions/indictments; certain violent misdemeanors
  • Domestic‑violence convictions or active protective orders
  • Drug/alcohol prohibitions; certain mental‑health adjudications
  • Dishonorable discharge; unlawful immigration status
  • False statements or otherwise failing statutory eligibility

Open Carry

Handgun Open Carry

Permitted. Eligible adults may open carry without a permit, subject to all posted and statutory location bans and alcohol rules.

Carry Methods

  • Visible Holster: Handgun openly worn is not concealed
  • Honor Posting: Do not enter statutorily posted premises or other prohibited places
  • Alcohol Establishments: Entry allowed only if not consuming and if not posted
  • Police Encounters: No duty to inform; you must comply with lawful instructions during a valid stop

 

Long Gun Open Carry

General Provisions

  • Lawful to Possess/Carry: Rifles/shotguns may be carried where lawful; the same location bans apply
  • Vehicles: State law permits storing firearms anywhere in a vehicle; hunting/WMA rules may require unloading/casing in specific contexts
  • Sensitive Places: Do not bring long guns into prohibited locations (schools, courts, posted facilities)
  • Field/Hunting: Follow SCDNR regulations and any local discharge ordinances

Federal Requirements Applied in South Carolina

Background Check Process

  • Licensed Dealer Sales: Federal background check required
  • Private Sales: No state‑mandated checks; federal law still bars transfers to prohibited persons
  • Out‑of‑State Purchases: Follow federal interstate transfer rules (handguns typically to in‑state dealer)
  • Prohibited Persons: Federal/state disqualifiers enforced

 

Age Requirements

  • Handguns: 21+ from dealers 
  • Long Guns: 18+ from dealers
  • Ammunition: 21+ handgun ammo; 18+ rifle/shotgun ammo (federal)

South Carolina‑Specific Purchase Laws

Waiting Periods

  • State Waiting Period: None
  • Background Check Delays: Transfers follow federal default‑proceed rules

 

Purchase Limitations

  • Purchase Limits: None statewide
  • Registration: No firearm registration
  • Permit to Purchase: None required

Prohibited Locations

prohicion armas

Absolutely Prohibited Locations

  • Law Enforcement/Corrections: Police stations, sheriff’s offices, jails, prisons (employees on duty excepted)
  • Courts/Courtrooms: Prohibited where court is held while in session
  • Polling Places: Prohibited on election day while polls are open
  • Government Meetings: Offices or business meetings of county/municipal/school governing bodies
  • School/College Athletic Events: When not related to firearms

 

Government Buildings

  • School/College Property & Public Buildings: Possession generally prohibited; limited vehicle‑only exception when secured 
  • Hospitals/Medical Facilities: Prohibited unless expressly authorized by the facility
  • Places of Worship: Prohibited without express permission of the appropriate church authority
  • Airport Sterile Areas: Off‑limits beyond TSA screening

Business Prohibition Authority

  • Statutory Signage: “NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED” signs must meet strict specs (placement/size/iconography)
  • Direct Notice: Verbal/written notice is enforceable
  • Trespass Enforcement: Refusal to leave after notice is criminal trespass
  • Employer Policies: Employers may prohibit carry inside workplaces; parking‑lot storage rules still apply

General Storage Requirements

No general safe‑storage mandate. 

Safe storage is strongly recommended; negligent access or handling can trigger criminal/civil liability.

Child Access Prevention

  • Negligent Access: Liability exposure if a minor gains access due to negligent storage/transfer
  • Locks Recommended: Use safes/locks/locked containers when unattended
  • Loss/Theft Reporting: Firearm loss or theft must be reported within 10 days of discovery to local law enforcement
  • Supervision: Direct supervision required when minors handle firearms

Vehicle Storage

General Provisions

  • Anywhere in Vehicle: Firearms may be stored anywhere in a vehicle, occupied or not
  • On School Property: Only inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and secured in a closed glove box/console/trunk or locked container
  • Posted Premises: Respect signage; secure and leave the firearm in the vehicle if you cannot lawfully enter armed
  • Theft Deterrence: Use locks/cables and conceal from view when unattended

Transportation Rules

arma de fuego en vehiculo

Licensed/Constitutional Carry Holders

  • Carry Loaded: Handguns may be carried loaded, open or concealed in vehicles where lawful
  • Honor Location Bans: Do not enter prohibited locations
  • Secure When Unattended: Use locked compartments/containers
  • Officer Encounters: No duty to inform; comply with lawful directions

 

Unlicensed Individuals

  • Permitless Applies: Eligible adults may carry without a permit; same sensitive‑place rules apply
  • Historic Glove‑Box Rule: Still lawful to secure in closed glove box/console/trunk or locked container
  • Long Guns: No general statute requiring unloaded status for vehicles, but unload/case when prudent or required by hunting/WMA rules
  • School Property Vehicle Exception: Follow the vehicle‑only exception noted above

Federal Safe Passage (FOPA)

  • Lawful Origin and Destination: Legal possession at both locations
  • Unloaded and Secured: Ammunition separated from firearm
  • Inaccessible Storage: Locked container or vehicle trunk
  • Continuous Journey: Minimal stops for necessities only

Self-Defense Laws

Castle Doctrine

Home Protection

  • No Duty to Retreat at Home: Stand your ground in your dwelling
  • Deadly Force: Justified to prevent imminent death/serious injury or during specified violent felonies (e.g., burglary)
  • Presumptions: Forcible/unlawful entry creates favorable presumptions
  • Reasonableness: Force must be proportional to the threat

 

Vehicle and Workplace

  • Occupied Vehicles: Similar presumptions may apply
  • Place of Business: Defense of self/others within statutory limits
  • Provocation/Unlawful Acts: Justification not available to aggressors or during certain crimes
  • Aftermath: Expect investigation; seek counsel

Stand Your Ground

Public Places

  • No Duty to Retreat: When lawfully present and not the aggressor
  • Deadly Force: Limited to imminent threats or specific forcible felonies
  • Mere Words Insufficient: Verbal provocation alone is not justification
  • Initial Aggressor: Loses self‑defense unless they withdraw and communicate it

 

Legal Protections

  • Criminal Immunity: Pre‑trial immunity hearing available
  • Civil Immunity: Statute provides civil immunity for justified force
  • Burden/Proof: Once raised, the State must disprove self‑defense
  • Fact‑Specific: Reasonableness and circumstances control outcomes

Knife and Blade Laws

kampveyaban
kampveyaban

Maximum Legal Blade Length

  • No statewide maximum
  • Local Preemption: No express knife preemption; check local ordinances (some cities limit blades or certain knife types)

 

Categories of Knives

South Carolina is generally knife‑friendly; most common knives are legal to own and carry, with restrictions tied to locations and intent.

 

Prohibited and Federally Regulated Knives

  • Switchblades/Automatics: Legal under state law (local bans may exist)
  • Ballistic Knives: Prohibited under federal law
  • Federal Interstate Ban: Switchblades and ballistic knives face federal interstate commerce restrictions 

 

State‑Specific Legal Knives

  • Gravity/Balisong Knives: Legal under state law
  • Assisted‑Opening Knives: Treated as ordinary folders
  • Concealed/Disguised Knives: Legality depends on context/intent; avoid in prohibited places

 

Generally Legal Knives

  • Pocket/Folding Knives: No statewide blade‑length limit
  • Fixed/Utility Knives: Legal to own/carry where not prohibited by location rules

Carry Restrictions

  • Concealed Carry: No statewide prohibition specific to knives; intent and location control
  • Open Carry: Generally lawful; obey posted bans and sensitive areas
  • Restricted Locations: Schools (elementary/secondary) prohibit knives with blades over 2 inches on school property; courts and secured government facilities ban weapons

 

Local Ordinance Preemption

  • Preemption Status: No statewide knife preemption; verify city/county rules

 

Significant Differences from Gun Laws

  • Permitless Carry: Knife carry hinges on location/intent
  • Sensitive Places: Knife bans can be broader in certain secured facilities
  • Age Rules: No statewide knife‑specific age statute; school policies stricter

Recent Updates

New Laws